* Should you choose to preselect regular (not preconference) Tuesday-Thursday sessions during the registration process, please be advised that preselection is not a guarantee of a seat. Attendees are asked to preselect to better determine room size and all efforts will be made to accommodate sessions in the largest rooms possible. All attendees are encouraged to show up to sessions early. Attendees are also encouraged to select alternative sessions in the event their first choice is full.

Required Prerequisites: Registrants must have previously attended LAMP Institute C1: Lead Wherever You Are, and they must have demonstrated progress toward completion of the Intermediate Leadership Project (ILP). In this advanced, two-day leadership program, attendees—having already attended Part 1 (Lead Wherever You Are: Becoming a Personal Leader)—will continue to explore, deepen, and strengthen the development of their leadership skills to lead others effectively in both formal and informal leadership situations. Adaptive and transformational leadership approaches will be featured. Our "Leadership Labs" will be introduced and attendees will have the chance to showcase insights acquired and progress made on their Intermediate Leadership Projects (ILPs), gaining valuable input from colleagues and mentors.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Identify and discuss the personal characteristics of adaptive and transformational leaders.

Define the 3 forms of networking and their impact on the ability to lead others.

Determine how to set vision and strategy such that others will want to follow.

Generate a strategy to help foster effective followership.

Recognize the importance of establishing relational and organizational trust.

Describe aspects of leadership that promote fostering others and leading diverse workforces.

This two-day course is the first in a series of leadership courses and other applied learning activities intended to develop leadership skills and professionalism in physical therapists. Evidence shows that leadership can be developed, and developing leadership skills is an integral part of professional development in physical therapist practice. This course emphasizes the development of new leadership behaviors, behaviors that foster autonomous practice, accountability, professional values, diversity, and ethics. Attendees will learn how to influence others to achieve shared goals; build better relationships and networks; resolve conflicts; negotiate effectively; and identify the value and differences between leadership, coaching, and mentoring. Attendees are required to complete a leadership self-assessment and other preparatory work prior to the session.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Identify and discuss the personal characteristics of an effective leader.

Recognize the importance of values and ethics and their impact on personal leadership and professionalism.

Given a case scenario, select appropriate leadership styles and actions.

Required Prerequisites: Registrants must have previously attended LAMP Institute C1: Lead Wherever You Are, and they must have demonstrated progress toward completion of the Intermediate Leadership Project (ILP). In this advanced, two-day leadership program, attendees—having already attended Part 1 (Lead Wherever You Are: Becoming a Personal Leader)—will continue to explore, deepen, and strengthen the development of their leadership skills to lead others effectively in both formal and informal leadership situations. Adaptive and transformational leadership approaches will be featured. Our "Leadership Labs" will be introduced and attendees will have the chance to showcase insights acquired and progress made on their Intermediate Leadership Projects (ILPs), gaining valuable input from colleagues and mentors.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Identify and discuss the personal characteristics of adaptive and transformational leaders.

Define the 3 forms of networking and their impact on the ability to lead others.

Determine how to set vision and strategy such that others will want to follow.

Generate a strategy to help foster effective followership.

Recognize the importance of establishing relational and organizational trust.

Describe aspects of leadership that promote fostering others and leading diverse workforces.

This two-day course is the first in a series of leadership courses and other applied learning activities intended to develop leadership skills and professionalism in physical therapists. Evidence shows that leadership can be developed, and developing leadership skills is an integral part of professional development in physical therapist practice. This course emphasizes the development of new leadership behaviors, behaviors that foster autonomous practice, accountability, professional values, diversity, and ethics. Attendees will learn how to influence others to achieve shared goals; build better relationships and networks; resolve conflicts; negotiate effectively; and identify the value and differences between leadership, coaching, and mentoring. Attendees are required to complete a leadership self-assessment and other preparatory work prior to the session.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Identify and discuss the personal characteristics of an effective leader.

Recognize the importance of values and ethics and their impact on personal leadership and professionalism.

Given a case scenario, select appropriate leadership styles and actions.

The Case for Preventing Fraud and Abuse in Physical Therapy, Part 1

Find out the latest information regarding fraud, abuse, and compliance with rules and regulations! The federal government, states, and private payers are increasing efforts to prevent fraud and abuse in health care through increased investigations, audit, and enforcement activity. In order to comply with changing laws and rules, it is essential for PTs and PTAs to be aware of the fraud and abuse laws and the latest government initiatives. Session 1 will provide background on various audit initiatives; identify areas of audit risk across all practice settings; and review strategies for preventing, managing, and appealing audits. The panel includes representatives from a Medicare audit contractor and APTA's Public Policy & Advocacy Committee.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Describe the common physical therapy disciplinary offenses (PT and PTA).

Discuss the federal government's efforts for reducing fraud and abuse in health care.

Develop effective strategies in your practice for complying with federal and state rules and regulations in order to minimize risk of audits and recoupment of dollars.

Identify the steps to take if one recognizes fraudulent or improper practices.

Facing Into the Storm: Challenging PTs to Thrive in a Changing Health Care Environment

Time: 8:00 am–10:00 am (See Program for Room)

Level: Basic

This is a joint program. See full description at Research programming.

Starting From Scratch: Making Your PT Vision a Reality!

Time: 8:00 am–10:00 am (See Program for Room)

Speakers: Tannus Quatre, PT, MBA

Level: Basic

PT's often have great ideas —new programs, new services, new practices—but they find it difficult to execute the ideas in the face of planning, operational, and financial barriers. The key to getting an idea going lies within concepts related to planning, management, and financial understanding. Fortunately, the concepts are not difficult to follow, and often the visions not difficult to achieve. In this seminar, the speaker will discuss how to execute a vision by starting something from scratch. From starting a new practice, to leading a new clinical endeavor, to recommending that an organization offer a new service, the steps are quite simple for PTs to follow and quite imperative to the growth of our profession! The session will discuss the relevant aspects of finding inspiration for a new vision, planning for the execution of a new vision, finding the resources necessary to make the vision a reality, and budgeting to make it all financially possible.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Explain why it's imperative that PTs not only THINK big, but ACT big when it comes to innovative visions.

Get inspired for a new vision, and be comfortable no matter how small or grand the vision.

Recognize the role of risk - how to respect it, but NOT be paralyzed by it.

Identify where to start in the planning process for getting a vision off the ground.

Discuss the basic concepts for making a vision financially viable - a prerequisite to the success of any great idea.

The Case for Preventing Fraud and Abuse in Physical Therapy, Part 2

Find out the latest information regarding fraud, abuse, and compliance with rules and regulations! The federal government, states, and private payers are increasing efforts to prevent fraud and abuse in health care through increased investigations, audit, and enforcement activity. In order to comply with changing laws and rules, it is essential for PTs and PTAs to be aware of the fraud and abuse laws and the latest government initiatives. Part 2 of this series will begin with a presentation by David Blank, associate counsel from the Office of the Inspector General, who will review case studies and discuss federal compliance and enforcement initiatives. A 10-year review of disciplinary offenses and actions against PT and PTAs will be followed by an interactive panel discussion.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Describe the common physical therapy disciplinary offenses (PT and PTA).

Discuss the federal government's efforts for reducing fraud and abuse in health care.

Develop effective strategies in your practice for complying with federal and state rules and regulations in order to minimize risk of audits and recoupment of dollars.

Identify the steps to take if one recognizes fraudulent or improper practices.

Intellectual Property 101: Strategies to Enhance Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Protection in the World of Physical Therapy

Joint Program: Education

Time: 11:00 am–1:00 pm (See Program for Room)

Speakers: Aliya N. Chaudry, PT, JD, MBA

Level: Intermediate

Physical therapy practitioners create a variety of intellectual property, such as exercise programs, clinical protocols, research articles, books, new types of ambulation devices, innovative prosthetics and orthotics, and symbols or designs to identify their goods or services. Most of these works go unrecognized and unrewarded because to be financially beneficial, the intellectual property must be legally protected as copyrights, patents, and trademarks.

This course will teach physical therapy practitioners to appropriately categorize their intellectual property to obtain favorable legal protection such as seeking patent protection for an innovative ambulation device, seeking trademark/servicemark protection for a business name/logo, and seeking copyright protection for original works of authorship affixed in a tangible medium of expression such as a home exercise program or clinical protocol. Mechanisms to maximize financial gain through learning key strategies to seek appropriate remuneration for intellectual property through contracting with other practitioners to create, sell, assign, or lease intellectual property will also be discussed. Samples of patents, copyrights, trademarks, and varied intellectual property related agreements will be made available at conference.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Distinguish between the various types of intellectual property generated by physical therapy practitioners.

Identify mechanisms that physical therapy practitioners can employ to maximize financial gain from their intellectual property.

Create checklist of key components to include in varied types of intellectual property agreements.

Recognize need to legally protect the intellectual property created.

Global Opportunities in Physical Therapy Education

Time: 3:00 pm–5:00 pm (See Program for Room)

Level: Basic

This is a joint program. See full description at Education programming.

Knowing What Is Right Does Not Equal Doing What Is Right: Taking the Next Step

Time: 3:00 pm–5:00 pm (See Program for Room)

Speakers: Nancy R. Kirsch, DPT, PhD; Cathy Hinton, PT, PhD

Level: Intermediate

Physical therapists know what is right . . . but do they always do what is right? This highly interactive session, using an audience response system, is focused on the responsibility of leaders in clinical practice and education to establish themselves as role models in PT practice, including the complexities of managing difficult situations with equally compelling choices. Physical therapists have come a long way from our earlier days when little was expected of us in making independent moral choices. PTs' ethical decision-making skills have been evolving over the past 4 decades. Our first step on the road to independent decision-making was having the moral sensitivity to recognize the presence of an ethical situation. Our next step was to develop the moral judgment to know that action had to be taken. This session is designed to help PTs take a giant leap to that next level of decision making. Cases will be discussed that challenge participants to exhibit moral potency, the ability to move beyond recognition of a situation to considering options and finally to the most important step, taking action. This session is designed to provide leaders with strategies to model the behaviors that move beyond knowing what is right to doing what is right.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Analyze a clinical situation and determine the action that should be taken and how it should be taken to be most effective.

Duplicate cases to use with students and staff to work toward developing moral potency.

Recognize the steps taken in ethical decision making and the importance of taking action.

Formulate a plan to help other therapists take the next step beyond moral recognition to moral action.

Leadership for All Times: Maximizing the Impact You Can Make Now and in the Future

This course will implement a book club format as the main teaching strategy. Discussion of the books will highlight how to improve your leadership skills so that you can maximize your leadership impact where you serve and work, now and in the future. Small-group discussion of the books will be facilitated by prominent APTA leaders. The course will conclude with a moderated panel of all the discussion facilitators. Preselected books are: Seeing What's Next, Great by Choice, and The Hunger Games. While reading one or more of the preselected books will lend to richer discussions, everyone is welcome and can participate in this unique learning experience.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Identify behaviors that help make leaders more effective.

Discover leadership principles that are used by recognized leaders.

Identify the leadership skills that you need to improve in order to effectively impact where you presently serve and work.

Discuss how you can apply leadership skills more effectively.

Recognize resources that are available to help you improve your leadership impact.

PT Issues in the State Legislatures: Challenges and Opportunities to Making Vision 2020 a Reality

Time: 3:00 pm–5:00 pm (See Program for Room)

Speakers: Justin Elliott; Angela Chasteen, MPA

Level: Basic

From Albany to Albuquerque, Trenton to Topeka, state legislatures are the legislative battle grounds on a plethora of key issues that impact the physical therapy profession. Issues such as term protection for "physical therapy," direct to PT services, POPTS, fair physical therapy copays, and infringement from other providers are just some of the challenges the profession faces at the state level. Come learn about the hottest PT issues being debated in state legislature across the country and what you can do make a difference.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Identify three important physical therapy issues at the state level.

Be a more effective advocate on physical therapy issues at the state level.

Understand barriers and opportunities that face the profession at the state level.

Emerging Issues in Medicare and Federal Affairs: What Every PT Needs to Know, Part 1

Medicare statutes, rules and federal legislation are constantly changing and vary depending on the setting in which PT and PTAs practice. Hear about the latest developments related to fee schedule payments, the therapy cap, quality initiatives, refined prospective payment systems, program integrity, accountable care organizations, and much more. The information provided during this course will be valuable as you adapt your practice to ensure compliance with the changing regulations. In Part 1, presenters and attendees will discuss the latest legislative developments regarding the therapy cap, direct access and health care reform. In addition, there will be an in-depth analysis of current and future quality programs and emerging models of care under the Medicare program and how PTs need to prepare to become meaningful participants.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Identify the latest developments in federal legislation and understand how it will affect the profession of physical therapy.

Take steps to implement quality measurement programs within your practice that are in compliance with Medicare requirements.

Physical therapists are great travelers and many wish to extend their knowledge and skills by practicing in different parts of the world. During this session we will identify trends and issues in international work and study and explore the challenges and opportunities for collaboration across borders. It will advance your knowledge on a full range of topics, including examples of physical therapy education, practice and research from across the globe, practical steps in planning your experience, and guidance on cross cultural working. You will learn the most current information on the varied professional context around the world, as well as meet with others intent on international collaboration.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Discuss the issues involved in making the decision to work or study overseas.

Plan for education or practice in a country other than your own.

Prepare to set up collaborations, possibly with fellow participants.

Cite resources available to support international work and study.

Improving the Health of Society Within Your Faith Community

Time: 11:00 am–1:00 pm (See Program for Room)

Speakers: Lana R. Svien, PT, PhD; Emily M. Hansen

Level: Basic

This educational session will include an overview of the scope of practice as a faith-community health professional and the role of improving the health of society as a faith-community physical therapist. It also will include an overview of the additional content necessary to prepare physical therapists to effectively practice in their faith-community setting. Perspectives of health from a variety of religions will be discussed.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Appreciate the importance of integrating spirituality and faith in the delivery of health care.

Discuss the 3 major focuses of working as a health professional within a faith community.

Discuss the most common interventions employed by faith-community health professionals and how to apply within your own faith community.

Determine the additional training necessary to prepare yourself as a physical therapist to effectively practice within your faith-community setting.

Emerging Issues in Medicare and Federal Affairs: What Every PT Needs to Know, Part 2

Medicare statutes, rules and federal legislation are constantly changing and vary depending on the setting in which PT and PTAs practice. Hear about the latest developments related to fee schedule payments, the therapy cap, quality initiatives, refined prospective payment systems, program integrity, accountable care organizations, and much more. The information provided during this course will be valuable as you adapt your practice to ensure compliance with the changing regulations. In Part 2, presenters and attendees will discuss the latest regulatory developments regarding the Medicare Fee Schedule and Medicare Prospective Payment Systems for home health, inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities as well as the latest developments regarding therapy coverage requirements in each of the practice settings. Attendees will have the opportunity to have their specific questions answered by the presenters.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Identify the latest developments in Medicare policy for settings in which therapists practice and projected changes.

Minimize errors and denials for payment due to non-compliance with Medicare policies and regulations.

Discuss current therapy coverage requirements for therapy under Medicare Parts A and B.

Clinical Practice Recommendation for Service Dogs in the Veterans' Administration System of Care

Doing Today's Work Today: How to Reduce Inefficiencies in Physical Therapy Service Delivery Through the Application of "Just in Time" Management Principles

Value-based health care involves matching the correct treatment to the correct patient at the correct time. To an increasing degree, health care administrators are expecting departments to meet the needs for "patient driven access"—to align the patient's goals, treatment options, and speed of access—in order to optimize treatment outcomes, satisfaction, and health expenditures. This idea is consistent with "just in time" management principles (JIT). JIT has been applied across many areas of business to improve efficiency by reducing wait times along a supply chain; strategies that reduce wait times for physical therapy evaluation and treatment should optimize patient outcomes and costs. This session will provide cutting-edge information about JIT physical therapy management principles and practices from an experienced group of clinicians and researchers who work in an integrated health setting. In this session, an experienced panel will discuss the theoretical basis of JIT management and its application to health care; and specific JIT-related physical therapy programs, oriented to primary care, telehealth, and workplace injury prevention. This session is directed toward staff members, supervisors, and administrators who are interested in developing strategies to make change in the delivery of physical therapy care within their departments.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Discuss "Just in Time" management principles.

Apply "Just in Time" management to health care service delivery.

Describe the workflow and use of a specific program for physical therapists in primary care settings and telehealth services, and in work injury prevention.

Health Care Reform and Professional Autonomy: The Good, The Bad, and The Opportunities

Professional autonomy and health care reform are 2 topics that have been on the minds of health care professionals, including physical therapists, for many years. These 2 topics are not mutually exclusive and as we move into a time where our health care system certainly be changing, it is important to recognize what autonomy means and how the role of the physical therapist will change under reform proposals. Physicians have been struggling with the evolving definition of autonomy since the changes made to our health care system in 1965 with the creation of Medicare and into the 1980s with the development of managed care. The 21st century will lead to further changes, and this can lead to opportunities for the physical therapist.
This session will present the concept of autonomy from a sociologic, economic, and ethical perspective. Discussion from the panel of experts in these areas will include the role of the physical therapist in various practice settings and include how a PT should interact with the public and other health care professionals, not just from a clinical perspective but also an economic and sociologic perspective. Format will be individual presentations from the panel followed by a discussion with the audience regarding future opportunities.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Define the concept of autonomy for a clinical profession in the 21st century health care environment.

Discuss various types of autonomy, including clinical, professional, ethical, and economic.

This course will emphasize advances and opportunities in telehealth that can be integrated in physical therapy practice across all settings: education, clinical practice, and research. Speakers with interest and expertise in a variety of areas of telehealth will present cutting-edge applications of technology focusing on enhancing patient care in the digital age across the models of care in military, wound care, skilled nursing, and home health care. Following an introduction to telehealth terminology, attendees will be exposed to various telehealth innovations in local and global rehabilitation settings. The primary goal is to identify barriers and develop strategies for practical application of telehealth services that are consumer directed in physical therapy. The speakers aim to make this information both exciting and applicable along the continuum of care, complete with ethical views of how technology may enhance physical therapy care for future generations.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Discuss telehealth using common terminology and agreed-upon definitions.

Acknowledge telehealth evidence from a rehabilitation perspective.

Investigate and plan sessions of telehealth appropriate to your jurisdiction and practice setting.

Identify barriers to telehealth implementation in your jurisdiction and practice across continuum of care.

Develop a strategy for advocacy of telehealth in your jurisdiction and practice setting that can optimize your interventions and potentially improve outcomes.

Emerging Trends and Models in Private Health Plans

Time: 8:00 am–10:00 am (See Program for Room)

Speakers: Doreen Bell; Carmen Elliott, MS; David Elton

Level: Intermediate

Spending for health care services continues to rise. With changes in the health care landscape and new care delivery models, health plans and employers are refining patient cost-sharing to encourage employees to seek more cost-effective care. Subsequently, consumers have seen their out-of-pocket costs rise significantly. With the explosive growth of consumer-directed health plans, health savings accounts, and rising copayment amounts, this will likely affect how physical therapy services are received. This session will provide physical therapists with information on how to improve the efficiency of current practices.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Analyze new payment models in the delivery of care.

Identify emerging programs, partnerships, and business models that reduce health system costs.

Identify strategies to rethink the value of core businesses and reconfigure business model.

Explore opportunities for physical therapists within the private sector.

Emerging Issues in Medicare and Federal Affairs: Special Session on the New Functional Limitation Reporting Requirements

Time: 8:00 am–10:00 am (See Program for Room)

Speakers: Heather Smith, PT, MPH

Level: Intermediate

This special session will focus specifically on the new functional limitation reporting requirements for therapy services provided under Medicare part B. Details regarding these regulations will be presented in the previous sessions (Part 1 and Part 2). In this session will provide a brief overview of the regulations and review several case examples before opening the session up for audience Q&A.

Electronic Health Records: Making It Work

Time: 11:00 am–1:00 pm (See Program for Room)

Speakers: James K. Eng, MS; Jaime Bellace, PT, MPT; Bill Derr

Level: Intermediate

Congratulations! Now that your organization or practice has committed to adopting an electronic health record (EHR) system, your next steps of selection, preparation, and implementation are crucial for success. The speakers are in the first year of a phased "go-live" process for a highly customized EHR system that will be used by 600 therapists (PTs, OTs, and SLPs) in a private practice. Following APTA's Guide to Understanding and Adopting Electronic Health Records, they will highlight the successful strategies and challenges that characterized their 2-year process of selection, preparation, and implementation. They will focus on multiple topics, including eliciting clinician buy-in, developing interdepartmental collaboration (clinical and nonclinical), guiding clinical decision-making, and overcoming communication obstacles between information technology staff and health care professionals. The speakers will refer to literature from several domains to present case challenges and substantiate solutions.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Identify and document the critical elements upon which to base the requirements for an EHR system.

Create, adjust, and plan from a project timeline. Recognize how to use the ICF framework as a basis for the EHR.

"May I See a Receipt?" Ensuring Documentation Supports Services Billed

Time: 11:00 am–1:00 pm (See Program for Room)

Speakers: Holly Hester, PT, MPT

Level: Intermediate

Current procedural terminology (CPT) code selection, documentation, and reimbursement starts with procedure-based rehabilitation treatment planning. With this model, every procedure on the claim relates to the evaluation, diagnosis, goals, plan of care, and ongoing assessment. The medical record as a whole makes sense together and functions as an accurate and complete "receipt" for services rendered. Payers have the right to look at the receipt to review the therapist's documentation and make sure that what is documented accurately reflects what they are being asked to pay for. Often the objective status of the patient is emphasized rather than the skilled interventions rendered by the therapist. Delivering and documenting skilled treatments, knowing the CPT code descriptions, and knowing which interventions should be billed under each code is imperative for accurate and timely reimbursement. This presentation focuses on how to create a complete and accurate receipt for the CPT codes billed each day and provides attendees with practical examples and strategies for accurate CPT code selection and daily documentation.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Articulate descriptions of commonly used CPT codes.

Demonstrate understanding of skilled documentation to support daily billing.

Select appropriate CPT codes to reflect skilled services rendered.

Preparing for a Deposition

Whether a case goes to court or is settled before trial, the deposition is one of the most critical stages of litigation and can support or hinder a successful legal defense. A physical therapist who is called to give a deposition should be as prepared as if he or she was going to testify before a judge and jury. This session will provide a better understanding of what a deposition is, the deposition process, and how you can successfully prepare for a deposition.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Define what a deposition is

Describe the deposition process

Provide useful advice related to deposition preparation

Offer specific examples through a "mock deposition"

Creating Successful Clinical Mentoring Programs

Time: 3:00 pm–5:00 pm (See Program for Room)

Speakers: Carol Page, PT, DPT, CHT

Level: Intermediate

Effective workplace mentoring fosters clinician engagement, development, and retention. This course will present the essentials of developing successful clinical mentoring programs designed to meet identified needs and goals with consideration to available resources. The didactic component of the course will be complemented by structured group discussion and a step-by-step worksheet that guides attendees through the process of program planning.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Recall the fundamentals of mentoring including benefits and common approaches.

Identify the components of work environments that foster mentoring.

Design a formal mentoring program with consideration to institutional and participant needs, goals, and resources.

Recognize obstacles to successful mentoring programs.

Discuss examples of formal mentoring programs.

Why Physical Therapy Is the Constant in Health Care Reform

Time: 3:00 pm–5:00 pm (See Program for Room)

Speakers: Robert E. DuVall, PT, DHSc, MMSc, ATC, OCS, FAAOMPT, CSCS

Level: Basic

There certainly will be challenges to face for both providers and payers as the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare shift their health care reimbursement methods to create an incentivized plan for providers to prove value, improve the quality of care they provide, and contain escalating health care costs. Effective, efficient, and accountable physical therapy diagnostic and intervention processes will become standard everyday practice essentials for all physical therapists directly linked to functional outcome driven measures and payment schemes.

This session will provide physical therapists with innovative, evidenced-based critical reasoning processes to best diagnose which impairments are more contributory to limiting function. A focus will be placed upon the underused portions of patient examination to identify etiological variables as related to treatment and patient education. The prevention of health care system readmission can render physical therapists vital members of health care teams and even recognized by consumers and other health care professionals as the practitioners of choice. This session will uniquely prepare physical therapists to embrace health care reform as related to payment and will help to eliminate some of the fears associated with this important regulation.